Valve mechanism for internal combustion engines



May 10, 1932- a. E. EDMUNDS 1,857,626

VALNE MECHANI SM FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES I Filed Aug. 30, 1929 Patented May 10,1932 7 GLENN E. EnMUNns, or: COLUMBUS, OHIO VALVE MECHANISM r03 'INTERNA COMBUSTION ENGINEs Application" filecllAugust 30, 1929. Serial ll'o. 389,411:

This invention relates to improvementsin valve mechanism forinternal combustion engines, and has for its primary object the pro-' vision of a valve mechanism which is simple, positive and eflicient in design and wherein an improved cam or eccentric mechanism is provided for efiecting the operation of the in dividual valves, whereby the valves will be both opened and closed by the direct action ofthe cam or eccentric means with the end in view of obtaining the correct opening and closing motionof the valves at all engine speeds.

It is another object of the invention to provide a valve operating shaft which is mounted for rotation in connection with a pair of adjustable bearings, and wherein provision is made for raising and lowering said bearings for the purpose of simultaneously adjusting all of the individual valves operated by the shaft, whereby such adjustments may be quickly and accurately made as well as maintained for long periods of operation.

For a further understanding of the invention reference is to'be had .to the following description and the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a view partly in vertical longitudinal section and partly in side elevation of an internal combustion engine provided with a valve mechanism comprising the present invention,

Figure 2 1s a vertical transverse sectional view taken on the line 2-'2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 33 of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view on the plane disclosed by the line 41 of Fig- .ure 3,

Figure 5 is a side elevation of the valve stem receiving portion of the cam yoke, and

Figure dis a side elevation of the valve adapted for'connection with the cam yoke.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates the cylinder structure of an internal combustion engine, in which is formed theusual cylinders 2 for the reception of the sliding pistons 3. 'Arranged on the cylinder structure 1 is a removable head 4 in which. is formed valve chamhers-5 which communicate with inlet and exhaust ports 6 and'7. The communication'be tween these ports and the 'cylinders2 is regulated, as usual, by a plurality of tappet valves 8' which are formed to include the usual heads 9 which engage with valve seats 1O, the heads being provided with upwardly extending stems 11 which cooperate with the actuating mechanism hereinafter more fully described. U

' The upper portion of the head 41 is proi vided with threaded sockets 12 which receive vertically extending bearing screws 13, disposed at opposite ends of thecylinder'block. The 1 screws 13 are provided with intermediately disposed wrench receiving sure faces 14 and saidscrews on the opposite sides of the surfaces 14 are provided with right and left handed threads. The upper portions of the screws 13 are received within threaded openings provided in bearing blocks 15, which are provided with bushings 16 for the rotatable reception of the opposite ends of a valve operating shaft 17 Oneend of the shaft 17 is provided with a a spiral gear which meshes with a worm 18 slidably keyed on an upright shaft 19 which is driven by the crank shaft (not shown) of the engine. It will be seen that by rotating the screws 13 thebearing blocks 15 and the shaft V 17 may be adjusted bodily for the purpose of regulating the degree of clearance provided by the valves8 when the latter are in open positions. -'The screws 13 are equipped with lock nuts 20 by which the desired adjustments H of the operating shaftare'maintained. 3

Formed-with the shaft/17 in alignment with the tappet valves 8 are eccentrics orfcams 21. In this instance the eccentrics have been illustrated, although it will be understood by those skilled in the art that cam surfaces may be; used depending upon the stroke which is to be imparted to the valves. Therefore, for present purposes the terms'flec- 'centrics and cams are to be used synonymously. Y

Surrounding the eccentrics 21 are yokes 22 which are provided with rollers-23' arranged for engagement with the peripheral surfaces of the eccentrics 21 anddisposed-on m diametrically opposed side of said eccentrics.

This construction is such that the rotation of the eccentrics will impart back and forth reciprocatory motion to the yokes in a positive, self actuated or unaided manner. The lower portions of the yokes 22 are formed with sockets 24 in which are received studs 25 formed upon the upper ends of sleeves 26.

Pins 27 pass through registering openings provided in the studs and in the lower portions of the yokes 22 to produce a rigid unitary assembly. The lower'portion's of the sleeves 26 are formed with annular flanges 28 which constituteseats for 'the'recepti'on of coil springs 29. The upper ends of these springs engage washers 30 loosely received upon the sleeves. By reference to Figures 3 and litwill be'observed that the valve stems 11 are positioned within bores 31 provided in the sleeves 26, and that the upper ends of thestems 11 are formed with transverse openings for the reception of cotter keys 32. The

mechanism, without relying upon springs,

which renders the action positive at all engine speeds. When the valves are closed fur ther upward movement of the yokes, in response to the action of the eccentric, merely serves to compress the springs29 and to thus firmly seat the valve heads 9 in connection with theseats 10. It will be observed that the springs 29 are located above the engine head 4 and are therefore beyond the range of the'destructive heat developed by the operation of the engine. For this reason the springs are capable of maintaining their effectiveness for long periods of use. p

The valve mechanism may be enclosed by means of a housing 34:, which may beheld in place by-means of screws 35 arising from the bearings '15 and secured by cap nuts 37 The top of-the housing may also be providedwith guide sockets 38 in which are received stems 39-projecting from the yokes 22. These stems serve to guide the movement of the yokes-and also permit of their lubrication. Through the provision of the housing 34 and also due to the general construction of the valve operating mechanism the latter is extremely quiet inoperation and is not likely to produce'the operating noises so common in'overhead valve motors. Inthis connection, While the invention has been disclosed as applied to an overhead valvezmotor, itisobvious that The mechanism is particularly Well adapted .for the-so-called"high speed or high compression internal combustion engines of modern designyalthough the mechanism 1s,

of course, applicable to other types of engines or pumps. While I have described what I consider .to be the ,preferred form of my invention, nevertheless it will be understood that structural variations .rnay rbe made therein without the following claims.

WVhatisclaimed I j p 1. In an internal combustion engine, a valve operating shaft, bearings arranged at the opposite ends -of said shaft for effecting its support and rotation, .anda pair ofscrews having opposed right and left :hand threads engaged with said-bearings and with a ista tionary base for adj Listing said shaft and the valve operating :mechanism carried thereby.

departing from the scope of.

.2. In .an' interna l combustion engine, :a

valve operating shaft, ibearings :arranged at the opposite ends of said shaft for effecting its supportand rotation, and a pairiof screws having engagement with said bearings .and' with 4 a stationary base o f said engine for .adjusting said shaft .and the valve operating mechanism carried thereby.

3. In an :internal combustion engine, a valve operating shaft, a a pair of spaced ibearings on said shaft .for effecting its support androtation;and meansforiraising.orlowering said bearings in a true vertical ,plane with respect to a stationary ,part ofsaid-engine for effecting the adjustment of said shaft and the valve operating mechanism carriedthereby.

In testimonywhereo'fI affix my signature.

' -GLENN .E. 

